When monster bassists roamed the backwoods of Ontario

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Dave Detwiler
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When monster bassists roamed the backwoods of Ontario

Post by Dave Detwiler »

Hi all - in my research, one thing invariably leads to another, and that almost always results in some fascinating discoveries.

If you know the great Jack Richardson, or (less-likely) Oscar Cott, or (virtually forgotten) James Romeril - all Sousaphone players with Sousa's Band - did you know that they were all, at one time, part of a ridiculously good band in a sleepy little town in the backwoods of Ontario?!

Here is that band in 1919 - and, if you look closely, you'll see their director, Herbert L. Clarke, in the middle of the front row. Wait, the great Herbert Clarke?! Sousa's world-famous cornet soloist?! What was he doing leading a band in the middle of nowhere?!
1919-09 ACLCB in Toronto.JPG
Curious to know more? Read about it here: https://tubapastor.blogspot.com/2020/05 ... woods.html

Enjoy!
Dave
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Last edited by Dave Detwiler on Sat May 23, 2020 12:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Played an F. E. Olds 4-valve BBb in high school (late '70s)
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
User avatar
Dave Detwiler
bugler
bugler
Posts: 223
Joined: Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:20 pm
Location: Harleysville, PA

Re: When monster bassists roamed the backwoods of Ontario

Post by Dave Detwiler »

Thanks, YORK-aholic!

Here's a photo of a portion of the band from the summer of 1920, at the Bigwin Inn, a brand-new resort on Bigwin Island on the Lake of Bays, only about 10 miles southeast of Huntsville.

The bassists shown are, from left to right, Jack Richardson (far left), J. Frank Kelly (Sousaphone in the middle), James Romeril (somewhat hidden, next to the Sousaphone), and Oscar Cott (far right). All but Kelly had Sousa connections during their careers!
1920-08 band at newly opened Bigwin Inn (2).JPG
And that's Herbert Clarke (or at least his top half!) in the middle of the bottom row.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Played an F. E. Olds 4-valve BBb in high school (late '70s)
Led the USC Trojan Marching Band tuba section (early '80s)
Now playing an F. Schmidt (=VMI) 3301 and goofing around
on a 1927 Pan American 64K Sousaphone Grand
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